He is no doubt the best farrier in the area. Has a great track record, shows up on time, calls when he can't come... perfect, right?

Well, I had him put shoes on Demi the last time he came out. Just regular 'ol front shoes. No special pads or anything.

The thing is, right off the bat, they were clicking like they were loose. And they WERE loose. They have gotten progressively worse to the point where I no longer feel comfortable jumping her until she gets them done again next week. He also left a bit of toe over the shoe, to the point that they almost looked overgrown right from the start.

So, how do I gently tell my farrier without offending him (if possible...) that I need her shoes tighter than they were before and that I need them ON the shoe, not over the shoe?

Ideas? I'm at a loss. And no, I am not switching farriers

Look like a SUPERSTAR, Ride like a FOUR STAR, Win like a ROCKSTAREventers: Making BAD Dressage look GOOD!

Thanks guys. I will try to just tell him gently like you said. He really does do a great job. He's had a lot going on in his personal life lately and I think maybe it was just taking an affect on his shoeing for a while there

Look like a SUPERSTAR, Ride like a FOUR STAR, Win like a ROCKSTAREventers: Making BAD Dressage look GOOD!

So, how do I gently tell my farrier without offending him (if possible...) that I need her shoes tighter than they were before and that I need them ON the shoe, not over the shoe?

Ideas? I'm at a loss. And no, I am not switching farriers

Just be honest with him. Make small talk, the way you always do and say "hey by the way, I saw something that I want to ask you about. Right after you left her shoes started clicking, they seemed like they were loose. It's been like this since? do you think she did something in the field? was it accidently done with her last trim? what can we do to prevent it from happening?"
Just be honest with him. It sounds like he values as a customer, so he shouldnt have any problems answering your concerns.

If the shoes were loose and ill-fitting from the first day what exactly makes him the best farrier in the area besides being a nice guy?

There's nothing like the Rockies in the springtime... Nothing like the freedom in the air... And there ain't nothing better than draggin calves to the fire and there's nothing like the smell of burning hair. -Brenn Hill

Because he has NEVER done this before. I have had horses with specialty shoes that he has done beautifully and 99.9% of the time he does outstanding regular shoes. That's why it kind of took me by surprise that this round wasn't as good.

He's a good farrier. He's been selected to shoe horses as the World Equestrian Games in KY this year.

Look like a SUPERSTAR, Ride like a FOUR STAR, Win like a ROCKSTAREventers: Making BAD Dressage look GOOD!

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